MX2007005781A

MX2007005781A - Dispensing means for containers with draining feature employing drip concentrator.

Info

Publication number: MX2007005781A
Application number: MX2007005781A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Adia Nicole Molloy; Bradley Scott Neufarth
Original assignee: Procter & Gamble
Priority date: 2004-11-15
Filing date: 2005-11-14
Publication date: 2007-07-19
Also published as: CA2586027A1; AR056912A1; CA2586027C; BRPI0518920A2; US20070257057A1; WO2006055567A1; US7673774B2

Abstract

A transition (1) for dispensing a composition from a container comprising a collar(4); a spout (2) comprising an opening (12), said spout being capable of directingthe flow of the composition out of the container; a drip concentrating member(6) having at least one drain hole (10) functionally connecting the collar andthe spout; wherein the drip concentrating member is at least partially non-planar.

Description

MEANS OF SUPPLY FOR CONTAINERS THAT HAVE A DRAINAGE CHARACTERISTIC USING CONCENTRATOR OF DRIP BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Containers that have transitions are well known in the industry. These containers have been used for a multiplicity of products that include packaging for chemical products, food products, cleaning products and the like. The transitions are generally attached to the container for the purpose of directing any material contained in the container outward, in a controlled manner. They also provide various means for closing a package, such as the provision of an area to which a cap or lid can be attached. Transitions associated with packaging often offer additional benefits related to such areas, such as self-draining capacity or flow limitation. While transitions for use with various packaging are well known in the industry, they still present long-standing problems related to use. A major problem with the transition involves the handling of any product that could accumulate within the transition. Although several transitions have been proposed for the return of the product as a solution in order to allow it to flow back into the container, such transitions still do not fully solve the problem. For example, When a product is shipped, the surplus of the product that is not drained completely from the transition may overflow outwards, around or below the peak, and may be dripping or generating untidiness. Such surplus product generates a condition of untidiness that is highly undesirable. It is desirable to achieve a transition that prevents or delays the overflow of the product surplus around or below the peak, while improving overall attraction for the user. Such a transition would be even more desirable if it were possible to create it in a minimum amount of process steps. The present invention is directed to these problems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One embodiment of the present invention includes a transition for dispensing a composition from a container comprising a collar; a peak that has an opening; said peak has the ability to direct the flow of the composition out of the container; a drip concentrating member, and having at least one drip hole that is functionally connected to the collar and the beak; wherein the drip concentrating member is not at least partially planar. In one embodiment, the transition is made of a plastic comprising polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, polycarbonate, bis arylcarbonate, diethylene glycol, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyamide resins, low density polyethylene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, cellulose acetate butyrate and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the transition comprises polypropylene. In one embodiment, the beak has a cut practically along its length. In another embodiment, the cut and at least one drip hole are in fluid communication. In one embodiment, the transition further comprises a clamping mechanism operatively connected to the collar, which has the ability to fix said collar at least temporarily to the hole for dispensing the product or the container. In another embodiment, the joining mechanism is selected from the group consisting of adhesives, glues, wires, mechanical fasteners, clips, interference fittings, pin mechanisms and combinations thereof. In yet another embodiment, the joint mechanism is a pin mechanism. In one embodiment, the present invention includes the transition, the container and the cap. Another embodiment includes a case for a laundry product comprising an active for laundry, the container, the lid and the transition of the present invention. A second embodiment of the present invention includes a transition for dispensing a composition of a container comprising a collar; a peak containing an opening; said peak has the ability to direct the flow of the composition out of the container; a drip concentrating member comprising at least an upper portion, a portion bottom and a drip hole; said drip concentrating member is functionally connected to the collar and the spout; characterized in that at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion are functionally connected by at least one retarder portion. In one embodiment, the transition is made of a plastic comprising polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, polycarbonate, bis arylcarbonate, diethylene glycol, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyamide resins, low polyethylene. density, styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, cellulose acetate butyrate and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the transition comprises polypropylene. In one embodiment, the beak has a cut practically along its length. In another embodiment, the cut and at least one drip hole are in fluid communication. In still another embodiment, the transition of the present invention further comprises a clamping mechanism operatively connected to the collar, which has the ability to fix said collar at least temporarily to the hole for dispensing the product or the container. In yet another embodiment, the joining mechanism comprises adhesives, glues, wires, mechanical fasteners, clips, interference fittings, pin mechanisms and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion are not at least partially planar. In another embodiment, the joint mechanism is a pin mechanism.

In one embodiment, the present invention includes the transition, the container and the cap. Another embodiment includes a case for a laundry product comprising an active for laundry, the container, the lid and the transition of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a right view of the transition. Figure 2 is a side perspective view of the transition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Although the specification concludes with the claims that particularly state and clearly claim the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description. The compositions of the present invention may include, consist essentially of or consist of the components of the present invention as well as other ingredients described herein. As used herein, the term "consists essentially of" refers to the fact that the composition or component may include additional ingredients, but only if these do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed compositions or methods.

All percentages and proportions used herein are expressed by weight of the total composition and all measurements made were made at 25 ° C unless otherwise indicated. The angular degree is a flat unit of angular measurement of a magnitude equal to 1/360 of a complete revolution. All measurements used herein are expressed in metric units, unless otherwise specified. Surprisingly, it has now been proven that a transition with a collar; a peak having an opening and the ability to direct the flow of the composition out of the container; a drip concentrating member having at least one drip hole and at least one retarding portion, and a drip concentrating member operatively connected to the collar and spout addresses the problems of the industry. Said transition can be manufactured at low cost and can maintain the characteristics of less untidiness and greater general attraction for the user. Moreover, the transition is formed in such a way that the scale can easily be adjusted to suit different sizes of holes and containers. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the retarding portion of the drip concentrating member delays, prevents or otherwise retards the overflow of the product collected in the drip concentrating member. Moreover, it is estimated that the retarder delays the flow of the product in such a way that it practically prevents it from overflowing the drip concentrating member. Such a delay practically prevents the product overflows from the drip concentrating member for the time necessary to pour the product from the container or use the container to dispatch in some other way. As used herein, "container" refers to any hollow or partially hollow container capable of containing a composition for an indefinite period of time. The container must stand on its own; be practically rigid, flexible and malleable; be a malleable bag, a malleable sachet, a "pocket" or small malleable bag and combinations of these forms. A preferred form is a container standing alone and having an opening for pouring or dispensing the container compositions by the effect of gravity, through the transition. The container should preferably be able to open and close repeatedly through the opening; however, it is also possible to use containers that can only be opened once and can not be sealed again. As used herein, "cap" refers to a device capable of sealing, closing or locking a composition within the container. Any type of cap known in the industry can be used with the container. Such caps include screw caps, gauges adapted to be used as caps, diaphragm valves, ball valves, slotted valves, pressure valves, self-draining peaks, traditional peaks, split peaks, screw caps, pull-off caps, snap-on caps, hinged covers, covers with ventilation and combinations of these. The lid of the present invention, when functionally attached to the container, maintains at least about 90%, preferably, at least about 95% and, most preferably, at least about 99% by volume of the composition in the container when the lid is operated. As used herein, "composition" or "product" refers to any material contained within the container. The compositions of the present invention include liquids and liquefiable solids (solid particles small enough to pour as a fluid, said particles generally having a diameter of less than about 2.6 cm). These compositions are generally homogeneous by nature; however, heterogeneous and multi-phase compositions are contemplated.

Transition In one embodiment, the transition of the present invention comprises a collar; a peak; said spout has the ability to direct the flow of a composition out of the container and a drip concentrating member comprising at least one drip orifice and at least one retarder portion; said drip concentrating member is functionally connected to the collar and the spout. The spout of the present invention is of such a design that it allows it to direct a composition or product inside the container out of it. In one embodiment, the peak is functionally connected to the collar. In another embodiment, the spout is operatively connected to the collar by the drip concentrating member. Those with knowledge in the industry will be able to easily modify the shape and size of the peak to adapt suitably the size, shape and specifications of the container, as well as the physical parameters of the composition within the container. A preferred peak for the present invention is one that has the characteristic of self-draining or return flow. Such peaks are described in U.S. Pat. num. 4,550,862; 4,696,416; and 4,981, 239; which are incorporated in their entirety in the present. The characteristics of self-draining or return of the flow, together with the drip concentrator, fulfill the function of directing the excess of the composition back into the container. Moreover, the excess of the composition remaining in the lid also returns to the container. The peak mode is particularly useful when the lid is used to measure dose of the composition of the container. The remaining composition inside the lid can then flow from the lid, through the transition, and self-draining or returning from the peak into the container. The drip concentrator of the present invention functions as a collector of any spillage of the composition from the cap or peak and directs said spill from the transition back to the container. In one embodiment, the droplet concentrator of the present invention is sandwiched between the collar and the spout so as to have a substantially downward slope. The drip concentrator opening is located below the descending slope, allowing the composition to exit the drip concentrator. The downward slope of the present invention is preferably from about 5o to about 70 °, more preferably from about 10 ° to about 50 °, still more preferably from approximately 15 ° to approximately 45 °. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the downward slope of the drip concentrator, in combination with gravity, guides or pushes the composition downward in the downward slope. In one embodiment, the droplet concentrator comprises a retarder portion. Without intending to be restricted by theory, it is believed that the retarding portion at least delays, prevents or otherwise retards the droplet concentrator compositions during the process of pouring the composition or product from the container. Any retarder portion suitable for use within a drip concentrator is contemplated. Such retarding portions include, but are not limited to, non-planar portions, holes, ridges, protuberances or stops, elbows, coatings and combinations thereof. Drip concentrators having retarding portions are also contemplated so that the upper portion and the lower portion of the drip concentrator are not planar. One way to achieve a non-planar upper portion and portion is to connect them by a retarder portion, characterized in that the retarder portion is substantially transverse to the lower portion and upper portion. This transverse retarder portion includes, but is not limited to, non-planar portions, holes, ridges, protuberances or stops, elbows, coatings and combinations thereof. The collar of the present invention has a design such that it is attached and sealed to the container and allows a sealed lid to be connected. that can be removed. The collar incorporates the method of joining both the container and the lid. Any method can be employed to connect the removable cover to the collar, including, but not limited to, threads, interference fittings, rings to fit and the like. Preferably, the lid is threadedly connected to the collar. Even more preferably, the lid is connected to the threaded collar, so that it can be removed. Connecting the cover to the collar in this way makes the use easy, while at the same time effectively securing the removable cover to said collar. Any method for attaching the container to the collar may be employed, including, but not limited to, threads, interference fittings, latching mechanisms, gluing, riveting and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the collar is attached to the container by a combination of latching and gluing mechanisms. Such a hooking or attaching mechanism is attached to the bottle by incorporating hooks into the transition collar. These hooks are generally operated by pushing the transition down into a container capable of accepting the placement of hooks. Once they are in place, these hooks lock into the transition and keep the transition in place in the container. In a preferred embodiment, the collar has an inverted "U" shape in cross section, having a substantially parallel distal wall and a proximal wall. The collar also has an upper wall connected to the distal wall and the proximal wall, such that the upper wall is practically perpendicular to both the distal wall and the proximal wall. The proximal wall is located with respect to the distal wall such that the circumference of the distal wall is less than that of the proximal wall. The top wall of the present invention is preferably circular in shape, more preferably, a circular ring having a uniform shape. The collar, spout or droplet concentrator of the present invention can be made with any material known to anyone with ordinary industry knowledge, who is able to keep the compositions in place for an indefinite period of time. Although soft, non-rigid materials can be used, materials with sufficient rigidity are preferred to remain practically upright. Such materials include, but they are not limited to metals, woods, plastics, ceramics and combinations of these. Plastics include thermoformed plastics and thermoset plastics. Such plastics include, but are not limited to, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and mixtures thereof. Polypropylene is especially preferred. In the same way, the materials can be processed in a single layer or multiple layers. Since a variety of different materials can be used to manufacture the spout or drop concentrator of the present invention, the selected materials should be based on the intended end use and characteristics required for the spout or drop hub in question. Those with knowledge in the industry will quickly perceive that the material used to make the container can have a wide range of colors and tones. Those with regular knowledge of the industry will know immediately how to color and process the materials to make the container in order to achieve color variations, as well as the degrees of transparency, including whether it is crystalline, translucent or opaque. In yet another embodiment, the container of the present invention contains communication instructions with the user. The instructions may be printed directly on the container or may be placed on it in the form of a label. Those with regular knowledge in the industry will immediately know how to print instructions on a container made of a particular material. Likewise, those with regular industry knowledge will immediately know how to attach or affix a label to the container. In a preferred embodiment, the label extends around the circumference of the container.

EXAMPLE One modality of a transition is illustrated in Figures 1-2. Figures 1-2 show a right side view of transition 1 of the present invention. The peak 2 is functionally connected to the collar 4 by the drip concentration member 6. The collar 4 further comprises a screw 8 for clamping a lid. The upper portion 20 and the lower portion 24 of the drip concentration member 6 are separated by a retarding portion 22. The drip concentration member 24 further comprises a drainage orifice. 10 to facilitate the drainage of the product from the drip concentration member 24 into the container. When a container and a composition or product are in combination, the composition or product is dispensed by flow through the opening 12, outside the peak 2. The relevant part of all the documents cited in the section "Detailed description of the invention" are hereby incorporated by reference, and should not be construed that the citation of said documents is the admission that they conform the prior industry with respect to the present invention. Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those with knowledge in the industry that various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It has been intended, therefore, to cover all the changes and modifications within the scope of the invention in the appended claims.

Claims

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS 1. A transition to dispatch a composition of a container; the transition comprises: a collar; a peak that has an opening; the peak has the ability to direct the flow of the composition out of the container; a drip concentrating member having at least one drip hole which is operatively connected to the collar and the beak; wherein the drip concentrating member is at least partially non-planar. 2. The transition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the transition is made of a plastic comprising polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, polycarbonate, bis arylcarbonate, diethylene glycol, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyamide resins, low density polyethylene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, cellulose acetate butyrate and mixtures thereof. 3. The transition according to claim 2, further characterized in that the transition comprises polypropylene. 4. The transition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the peak has a cut practically along its length. 5. The transition according to claim 4, further characterized in that the cut and at least one drain hole are in fluid communication. The transition according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a clamping mechanism functionally connected to the collar, which has the ability to fix the collar at least temporarily to the hole for dispensing the product or the container. The transition according to claim 6, further characterized in that the joining mechanism comprises adhesives, glues, wires, mechanical fasteners, clips, interference fittings, pin mechanisms, and combinations thereof. The transition according to claim 7, further characterized in that the joint mechanism is a pin mechanism. 9. The transition according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the container and the lid. 10. A case for a laundry product comprising an active for laundry, the container, the lid and the transition according to claim 1. 11. A transition for dispensing a composition of a container comprising: a collar; a peak that has an opening; the peak has the ability to direct the flow of the composition out of the container; a drip concentrating member comprising at least a portion top, at least one lower portion and at least one drainage hole; the drip concentrating member functionally connects the collar and the spout; wherein at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion are functionally connected by at least one retarder portion. The transition according to claim 11, further characterized in that the transition is made of a plastic comprising polyethylene, polymethylmethacrylate, polypropylene, polycarbonate, bis arylcarbonate, diethylene glycol, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, epoxy resin, polyamide resins, low density polyethylene, styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer, cellulose acetate butyrate, and mixtures thereof. The transition according to claim 12, further characterized in that the transition comprises polypropylene. 14. The transition according to claim 11, further characterized in that the peak has a cut practically along its length. The transition according to claim 14, further characterized in that the cut and the at least one drain hole are in fluid communication. 16. The transition according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a clamping mechanism functionally connected to the collar, which has the ability to fix the collar at least temporarily to the hole to dispense the product or the container. 17. The transition according to claim 16, further characterized in that the joining mechanism comprises adhesives, glues, wires, mechanical fasteners, clips, interference fittings, pin mechanisms, and combinations thereof. 18. The transition according to claim 17, further characterized in that the joint mechanism is a pin mechanism. The transition according to claim 11, further characterized in that the retarder portions comprise non-planar portions, holes, flanges, protuberances or stops, elbows, coatings, and combinations thereof. The transition according to claim 11, further characterized in that at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion are at least partially non-coplanar. 21. The transition according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises the container and the lid. 22. A case for a laundry product comprising an active for laundry, the container, the lid and the transition are in accordance with claim 11.